CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Creighton visits Xavier on Friday afternoon in a Big East series opener at Marge Schott Stadium, with the Bluejays looking to build on a 5-2 win over the Musketeers from a day earlier.

Creighton enters with a 29-22 overall record, while Xavier sits at 25-28. The forecast calls for clear skies and 62 degrees at first pitch.

Players to watch include Creighton right-hander Jack Pineau, who tossed 4⅓ scoreless innings in Thursday’s victory, allowing no hits while striking out six. Over his last five outings, Pineau has a 3-1 record with 29 strikeouts in 26⅔ innings, though he was tagged for nine earned runs in five innings at St. John’s on May 1.

For Xavier, left-hander Ryan Piech has been impressive as well, striking out seven over five innings in Thursday’s loss. In his previous start, Piech fired six shutout innings at Butler on May 8, allowing two runs in a winning effort. He also struck out 12 in a win at Seton Hall on April 17.

The Bluejays have won six of their last nine games, with Thursday’s victory keyed by a combined effort from Pineau, Eli Nissen and Joe Hauser, who allowed one run on two hits overall.

Xavier has dropped six of its last nine, including a 6-4 loss to Georgia Tech on May 3 and Thursday’s series opener. The Musketeers’ offense has shown flashes, scoring 12 runs in a win at Butler on May 9, but inconsistency has plagued the lineup.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 Xavier win, while the same service’s ELO system gives Creighton a 54.6 percent probability of victory.

The two teams conclude the series Saturday afternoon at the same venue.